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R121 VJB

1998 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 2793cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Apr 2027
Tests24 (18 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

163,661 mi
Last recorded163,661 miles
Recorded on16 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR121 VJB
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,793cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 6 fail
Pass 16 Apr 2026 163,661 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Apr 2025 163,138 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 1 May 2024 162,538 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 25 Apr 2023 161,906 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

n/s/f floor area corroded

o/s/f floor area corroded

Pass 26 Apr 2022 161,412 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

rear outer sills and inner sills corroded

Pass 13 Nov 2020 159,989 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 20 Jun 2019 157,724 miles

Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Brake cable damaged but not to excess corroded externally (1.1.15 (a))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

o/s/r caliper spring missing

side light switch has intermittent fault

slight play in o/s rack end

Pass 22 Jun 2018 155,642 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

rear axle areas corroded

Pass 23 Jun 2017 152,948 miles

bonnet cable damaged

front exhaust securing bracket broken

rear axle area corroded

Pass 22 Jun 2016 151,322 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn on inside edge

Nearside Rear Tyre inner sidewall cracked and perished

Nearside Rear Tyre worn on inside edge

Offside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel movement at inner tie rod (2.2.A.1b)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush worn (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre inner sidewall cracked and perished

Offside Rear Tyre worn on inside edge

Fail 22 Jun 2016 151,322 miles

Nearside Front Steering locking device insecure Track rod end locking nut loose (2.2.C.1g)

Offside Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Nearside front wheel braking a lot quicker and harder than offside front wheel (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn on inside edge

Nearside Rear Tyre inner sidewall cracked and perished

Nearside Rear Tyre worn on inside edge

Offside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel movement at inner tie rod (2.2.A.1b)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush worn (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre inner sidewall cracked and perished

Offside Rear Tyre worn on inside edge

Pass 22 Jun 2015 149,433 miles

underside corroded

Fail 11 Jun 2015 149,433 miles

Nearside Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

underside corroded

Pass 24 Jun 2014 148,233 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 19 Jun 2014 148,232 miles

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 8 Aug 2012 141,468 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2011 140,996 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Front bumper insecure

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Inner Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Track rod end slightly corroded but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Offside Rear Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

front fog light tell light on dash on all time when lights are on

Pass 1 Jul 2010 140,408 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 28 Jun 2010 140,408 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 2 Jun 2009 139,400 miles

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 27 Jun 2008 138,779 miles

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Macpherson strut has slight play in the sliding bush or gland (2.5.B.1b)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 21 Jun 2008 138,779 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Front Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Nearside Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Rear front parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Macpherson strut has slight play in the sliding bush or gland (2.5.B.1b)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 12 Oct 2006 132,629 miles
Fail 12 Oct 2006 132,629 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

How Reliable is the BMW Z3?

Based on 498,063 MOT tests across 26,000 vehicles.

73.2%
Pass Rate
2,128
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
26,000
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 17,103
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,600
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 10,064
position lamp(s) not working 9,305
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 7,992
Full BMW Z3 reliability report

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R121 VJB is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1998 BMW Z3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.1% with a typical mileage of 76,857 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW Z3 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 17,103 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R121 VJB, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW Z3 typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 28 years old, this BMW Z3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R121 VJB?

You can check the full history of R121 VJB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R121 VJB registered?

R121 VJB is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 26 March 1998.

Is R121 VJB safe to buy?

The MOT history for R121 VJB shows 24 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R121 VJB have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R121 VJB. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.